Choosing the right first class is crucial to getting the most out of your BambooMoves experience. Set yourself up for success by choosing a class that aligns with your fitness level, experience, and yoga goals. For first time yoga practitioners, our Level I class is usually a great place to start.

The best yoga clothes are clothes you feel comfortable in. Most students generally wear a t-shirt or a supportive tank paired with shorts or leggings. Wearing form-fitting clothing is helpful in that it allows our teachers to see your postures and help you with alignment throughout your class. As for what to bring, if you have a yoga mat, bring it. If not, you can always rent one at the studio. Otherwise and towel and a water bottle are all you need for a successful first practice at BambooMoves Forest Hills.

You are welcome to sign up for any regular class – check out the BambooMoves Forest Hill schedule HERE. Once you purchase your new student special, you can sign up for any of our classes without delay. Just be sure to come to the studio about 15 minutes before your class starts to sign in and fill out your paperwork.

In “regular” yoga the heat is produced from within the body–working on poses and techniques to stoke the abdominal fire or 3rd chakra. This is why drinking water during a yoga class is not recommended. However, in hot yoga the room is heated to create heat from the external environment and drinking water is encouraged.

We encourage people with all body types, backgrounds, and aliments to practice yoga. Therefore, we try to keep the room at a comfortable temperature, safe for those who do not take heat well and inviting to those who do not enjoy the cold.

We do have a couple of classes that focus solely on seated meditation, but most of our classes end in 5 minutes of meditation, which can often assist new students to meditate. The posture practice and breathing helps the body minimize tension and stiffness, leaving the body more comfortable and able to sit and focus the mind for a longer, more gratifying meditation practice.

We have specific classes for advanced asana practitioners or you can attend the open or all level classes where you can practice more advanced poses. We also offer workshops which specialize in specific techniques such as pranayama or breathing, specific asana, or philosophy of yoga.

There are many benefits of doing yoga: It assists you in breathing more slowly and steadily. Because breathing happens automatically, we lose the capabilities to have a long inhale and exhale. This steady breath balances the nervous system which minimizes the effects of stress, such as the feelings associated with anxiety. Vinyasa, moving with the breath, whether fast or slow, allows the body to be nourished with more oxygen. Yoga is an aerobic form of exercise, meaning the muscles (including the heart) have more oxygen, also minimizing the effects of stress and leaving the body feeling rejuvenated.

Yoga also helps with losing weight or finding your ideal weight for your body. Because the main focus is moving with breath and awareness, this stimulates the hypothalamus, located in the brain, and balances hormones and the nervous system, two areas that when out of balance cause us to overeat or have unhealthy cravings.

Plus, as the asana portion of yoga is what we primarily teach, the body gets stronger, more flexible, and carries less stress. This can mean minimizing chronic pain or preventing injuries in the future. As you can see there are MANY health benefits to yoga but the only way you will feel them is by practicing on a REGULAR basis, several times per week.

Our studios are very welcoming and encouraging. We emphasize that you awaken the inner awareness and listen to what your needs are. We live the yoga practice so we fully understand that it is a journey and a practice, and one does not change overnight.
In The Secret of the Yoga Sutra Samadhi Pada says, in 1:13, “The Ardent Effort to retain the peaceful flow of the mind free of roaming tendencies is practice.”

It is an effort and at our studios we know this, we live this, and we have created a community to support your journey on the days that it comes easy to practice and on the days that it is a struggle to practice.

Open

This multi-level class includes flowing sequences, hands-on assists, relaxation and meditation. Posture variations will be provided for all levels of practice, but descriptions are less detailed (75 – 90 minutes).

Basic Flow

This class is a practical introduction to the yoga practice. Join us for a slow Vinyasa sequence that includes the essentials but is a bit more vigorous than the gentle warrior. New students are welcome.

Gentle Warrior

Stretch out and enjoy a gently paced contemplative class that instills comfort and strength. This is a perfect class for new students of any age, yogis who are returning to the mat after a period of absence, and pregnant women.

Teen Inner Power & Naam Yoga

Teen Inner Power & Naam Yoga with Nicole is a fun and relaxing type of heart and soul yoga that combines hand movements, music, and breathing techniques. Teens love it because it helps them feel less stress/anxiety and they get to feel real peace within themselves. With school, friends, and family stresses today -it is so important for teens to engage in activities that take care of their mind and soul. Naam is it!!
Nicole will explore the many hidden powers within you and your hands. She will guide you on a journey of self-discovery. You will practice many techniques, ways of thinking, and being that keep stress and negativity away. It will be fun, relaxing, intriguing and you may discover that you really are a powerhouse!

Relax & Renew

This is a restorative class ideal for rejuvenating the body physically and emotionally. This class includes breathing exercises, gentle and supported postures using bolsters, pillows, blocks and/or blankets, relaxation, and meditation.

Sunrise Yoga

The class integrates postures, breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation to stretch, strengthen, and condition. After the class you are welcome to stay for a short meditation session from 7:15 am to 7:35 am.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is known as the yoga of awareness. Its practice will help deepen the connection to the divine self and the infinite. Using asanas, dynamic breathing techniques, mantras, and meditation we help strengthen and fine tune our inner landscape so we can elevate ourselves to reach a higher conscious state of harmony with all of our experiences.

Prenatal Yoga & Meditation

We’re honored to host Prana Prenatal Yoga and Meditation. These classes are a great way to connect with your baby, address the common physical symptoms associated with pregnancy, prepare for labor and birth, and relax and calm the mind. You will be led through a sequence of gentle yoga postures that are suitable for beginners as well as experienced students. The class includes breathing techniques, a short meditation practice as well as a guided visualization to help you deeply relax. All students are encouraged to work at their own pace but always check with your midwife or doctor before beginning any physical exercise.